Total Chaos UCA how-to Install

^Maybe 9/16 for the bolt itself then? That would be .5625

 

I know the bolt has a good deal of slop in the bushing.

Like you said I know Mike bent his and had to get new ones so maybe he knows.

 

Just got a PM from Mike...14mm! And there was the problem I was having 9/16" in a Japanese truck???

14mm=.5512" Makes sense there is alot of slop in the sleeve.

 

Need some help guys. Having trouble removing the upper ball joint from the spindle. Anyone that's done it before on a 1st gen have suggestions. Got it off the upper arm but can't figure it out how to get it off the spindle.

Have removed the boot and removed the snap ring retainer.

 

If you dont care about the ball joint use a vice. Narrow it down so its just wide enough for the ball joint to fit through but the top of the spindle is supported. Tap down on the outer part around the ball joint, not the stud. It will ruin the ball joint but comes out easy

 

I need to remove the spindle from the truck to get it into the vice, right?

 

Oh unfortunately yes

 

OK. Thanks Man

 

Another question on the UCA install...I think I let the spindle droop too much or hit the ball joint to hard trying to get it out of the spindle and I believe I knocked my CV out of the differential??

Has this happened to anyone else?

At this point, if I have to take the whole spindle off to get the CV back in, might be a good time to do my bearings and Inner Tie Rods.

 

i know this is an old post but it may be worth mentioning that instead of denting in your inner fender well to remove the bolt you can knock the bolt out untill it touches the fender well and cut the head off near the UCA with 4" angle grinder & cut off wheel repeat 4-5 times untill bolt is free from frame. may be a good idea to have a scrap piece of metal wedged in so sparks dont fly around engine bay. This will require some new UCA bolts $12.99 ea. at toyota dealer (get before hand) then reinstall from the other direction. this will take a little more time but no ugly dinged up inner fenders

 

you can also use a "suspension pickle fork" be careful or you may poke holes in the ball joint rubber boot.

it is easier to use the pickle fork with the spindle in the truck. just remove ball jount bolt and position the fork between the spindle and ball joint flat part towards the spindle take your biggest BFH i prefer a 3lb sledge and give it a few cracks. works like a charm.

 

But doesn't the plastic wheel wall cover the dented area?

 

You are thinking 2nd gen design. What you suggest doesn't apply on a 1st gen. The two BJ designs are quite different.

 

Why do you put the top bolt in the opposite direction?

 

Alright I have a question for Chris since you seem to be really knowledgable about this stuff. I have a zone offroad 6" suspension lift with the 6" strut spacers, stock springs and billy 5100's set at 0. I would like to set the Billy's at 2.5" of lift plus the 6" that's already there to achieve more lift. If I went with a set of total chaos UCA's and that setting on the billys would I be able to get it in alignment spec? Just something I've never done before so any advice would be much appreciated.

 

Awesome man, I surely appreciate it.